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Voters cast ballots during the U.S. presidential election in a farm shed near Neveda, Iowa, U.S., November 8, 2016. REUTERS/Scott Morgan - RTX2SKD2
Reuters/Scott Morgan
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POLLING PLACES

A portrait of democracy: The hair salons and garages where Americans vote

By Thu-Huong Ha

This morning, New Yorkers waited to vote for the next president of the United States for upwards of two hours, with varying degrees of customer satisfaction. (I voted in the lobby of an apartment building, and it was cramped but speedy.)

Throughout the country, the voting environment differs widely. Polling stations include the usual elementary school room, like the one where Hillary Clinton cast her vote; the Neptune Society Columbarium in San Francisco, which houses local ashes; and a barbecue restaurant in Chicago that serves cheap ribs.

See a selection of the unique places Americans are casting their ballots today.

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
Echo Park Pool in Los Angeles.
Reuters/Scott Morgan
A garage in Fernald, Iowa.
Reuters/Jim Young
Su Nueva Lavanderia in Chicago.
AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
Chua Phat To Gotama Temple in Long Beach, California.
EPA/Eugene Garcia
A lifeguard headquarters in Venice Beach, California.
Reuters/Scott Morgan
A farm shed near Neveda, Iowa.
Reuters/Jim Young
Daisy’s Hair Studio in Chicago.
Reuters/Sandy Huffaker
A garage in San Diego.
EPA/Tannen Maury
Pressure Billiards and Cafe in Chicago.
AP Photo/Eric Risberg
Neptune Society Columbarium in San Francisco.
Reuters/Charles Mostoller
A restaurant in Philadelphia.
AP Photo/Charles Rex
Delia’s Beauty Salon in Chicago.
Reuters/Jim Young
Jimmie G’s Restaurant, in Chicago.